OFF THE SHELF Garden-themed books
Unearth a wealth of inspiration with our edit of the best garden-themed book releases this spring
NEW WILD GARDEN: NATURAL-STYLE PLANTING AND PRACTICALITIES by Ian Hodgson (£20, Frances Lincoln)
Using naturalistic planting to create mini wildflower meadows has grown in popularity over recent years, not only for its loose, prairie-style aesthetic but also for its benefits to both the land and the wildlife that feeds off it. In his updated version of New Wild Garden, Ian Hodgson includes step-by-step planting schemes and essential plant lists to suit all tastes, spaces and resources, as well as examples of how to adapt this environmentally conscious approach to gardening. Richly illustrated with ideas and projects, this book offers an inspirational yet accessible guide to wild planting that is low-maintenance yet enormously creative, to push the boundaries no matter how big or small your container, patch or allotment may be.
FLORIOGRAPHY: THE MYTHS, MAGIC & LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS by Sally Coulthard (£12.99, Quadrille)
People have used flowers as a secret language – a shorthand of sorts – to express emotions and communicate hidden feelings for thousands of years and it is a practice that is still used in some cultures today. In her new book, Sally Coulthard digs deep into the fascinating world of flowers and the messages they convey, taking the reader on an intriguing journey through meanings, anthropology and literature. Exploring the history of 50 well-loved plants – from peonies to passion flowers, poppies to sunflowers – Floriography is a charmingly illustrated guide that uncovers the folklore and symbolism displayed throughout history, appearing in the works of Shakespeare, Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters to name a few.
NEW NORDIC GARDENS: SCANDINAVIAN LANDSCAPE DESIGN by Annika Zetterman (£25, Thames & Hudson)
With its love of raw and natural materials, Scandinavia is well known for effortless style that seamlessly marries functionality and sustainability. While the timelessness of Nordic interiors has long been noted, its garden and landscape design has often been overlooked. Redressing the balance, Annika Zetterman’s new book presents some of the best gardens created over the past ten years, exploring how Scandinavians mix traditional Nordic planting principles with breathtakingly innovative ideas. In a true celebration of quiet landscapes, each chapter reveals distinct characteristics through detailed descriptions alongside images of the work of skilled gardeners and landscape architects across the region.